Gibson Nyikadzino and Farirai Machivenyika, Zimpapers Writers
ZIMBABWE and the United Kingdom should translate renewed diplomatic engagement into increased trade and investment, with the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, pledging legislative support for Harare’s bid to rejoin the Commonwealth.
The commitment followed a meeting between Sir Lindsay and Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda, who is leading a parliamentary delegation on a working visit to the UK.
Addressing embassy officials, senior Government representatives, Zanu-PF members and the Diaspora business community at Zimbabwe House in London, Adv Mudenda said Sir Lindsay had undertaken to use his authority and influence to support Zimbabwe’s readmission to the 56-member organisation.
“What came out of our discussion was that the Speaker (Sir Lindsay) has committed himself to use his authority and influence to speak to the power of that being, that Zimbabwe must be re-accepted in the Commonwealth,” he said.
“Our association with the Commonwealth is born from history,” Adv Mudenda said.
The two Speakers also discussed ways to increase bilateral trade, strengthen business links and promote investment, with Adv Mudenda expressing concern that current trade levels did not reflect the potential of the economic relationship.
A statement from Parliament of Zimbabwe said the meeting explored opportunities for greater socio-economic engagement, including trade and investment exchanges, business-to-business cooperation and parliamentary scrutiny of barriers affecting bilateral economic relations.
The two Speakers also discussed cooperation between their legislatures, with Adv Mudenda noting similarities in parliamentary processes.
“Among other things that we discussed, which is positive, was that we have to exchange parliamentary best practices.
“Our parliamentary processes are literally similar in many respects,” he said.
Zimbabwe withdrew from the Commonwealth in 2003 amid a dispute with Britain and other Western countries.
The country began the process of rejoining in 2018, following the advent of the Second Republic, but its application has remained unresolved.
Debate over Zimbabwe’s return has centred on concerns raised by some critics regarding human rights, democratic processes, institutions and the rule of law.
According to the parliamentary statement, Adv Mudenda told Sir Lindsay that previous impediments to Zimbabwe’s readmission had, to a large extent, been removed.
He also referred to the Commonwealth Secretary-General Professor Luis Franceschi’s visit to Zimbabwe in November 2022, saying no negative observations had been raised during the engagement.
Adv Mudenda said parliamentary diplomacy should complement engagement between the two countries’ executives and be conducted based on sovereign equality.
“The United Nations Charter, Article 2, is clear that all nations are equal. And their sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected. So, I came here not as a Speaker from a former colony, but as a Speaker on equal terms,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the UK, Christian Katsande, said the visit marked an important step in strengthening relations between the two countries.
He said the engagements had created opportunities for Parliamentarians to exchange experiences, understand institutional priorities and identify areas for cooperation.
Commonwealth membership could also widen opportunities for the country to participate in political dialogue and cooperation on development priorities, including trade, education and technology transfer.
